Flyboys

Good but far from realistic. Not one rotary engine in the bunch and what
were those goofey back fires every time they pulled an engine through.
Also, the engine sounds weren't even close to correct.

True, the backfires were overdone, and the Fokker triplane in a dive
sounded suspiciously like a P-47 Thunderbolt. And, as long as we're
picking nits, landing at night or in no-man's land was a bit over the
top, too.

But, hey -- it was a movie about AVIATION, and it was 95% well done.
Lot's of non-flying folks were in the crowd, and some of them will be
enamored enough with the beauty of this movie and flight in general to
head to their FBO tomorrow.

THAT can only be good.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:
But, hey -- it was a movie about AVIATION, and it was 95% well done.
Lot's of non-flying folks were in the crowd, and some of them will be
enamored enough with the beauty of this movie and flight in general to
head to their FBO tomorrow.

Where the planes that they can fly are only slightly more modern that
the ones in the movie...

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
And, as long as we're
picking nits, landing at night or in no-man's land was a bit over the
top, too.

Such an incident really appears to have taken place, according to the
movie's FAQ, http://www.mgm.com/flyboys/pdf/real_vs_reel.pdf :

"-Could a pilot actually land and take off at night from behind enemy
lines?

From AVIATION CENTURY: “....Warneford recovered control of his
aircraft and completed a forced landing in the dark behind enemy lines.
After being on the ground for 35 minutes and repairing a broken fuel line
with a piece of a cigarette holder, he got airborne again and made his way
back to base.” Night landings – forced or intentional – were more
survivable than might be imagined."

"Jim Logajan" wrote in message ...
: "Jay Honeck" wrote:
: And, as long as we're
: picking nits, landing at night or in no-man's land was a bit over the
: top, too.
:
: Such an incident really appears to have taken place, according to the
: movie's FAQ, http://www.mgm.com/flyboys/pdf/real_vs_reel.pdf :
:
: "-Could a pilot actually land and take off at night from behind enemy
: lines?
:
: From AVIATION CENTURY: "....Warneford recovered control of his
: aircraft and completed a forced landing in the dark behind enemy lines.
: After being on the ground for 35 minutes and repairing a broken fuel line
: with a piece of a cigarette holder, he got airborne again and made his way
: back to base." Night landings - forced or intentional - were more
: survivable than might be imagined."



Yes, like most of the movie, it is based on true stories...

http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/laffeyette.shtml

http://www.amazon.com/Winged-Victory...e=UTF8&s=books

Jay Honeck wrote:
Lot's of non-flying folks were in the crowd, and some of them will be
enamored enough with the beauty of this movie and flight in general to
head to their FBO tomorrow.

Bravo Sierra.

We all recall the thousands of pilots that only began flying because
they saw Top Gun :-)

- J.O.-

We all recall the thousands of pilots that only began flying because
they saw Top Gun :-)

Actually, Navy recruiting shot through the roof, after "Top Gun" hit
the silver screen.

Let's hope "Flyboys" helps GA in the same way.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
We all recall the thousands of pilots that only began flying because
they saw Top Gun :-)

Actually, Navy recruiting shot through the roof, after "Top Gun" hit
the silver screen.

Didn't believe that, but looks like you're right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun_(film)

"Unsurprisingly, it boosted Air Force recruitment and increased Navy
recruitment 500 percent. This was evident in the fact that the Navy used
its success by having recruitment booths in some theaters to lure
enthusiastic patrons."

Jim Logajan wrote:
"Jay Honeck" wrote:
We all recall the thousands of pilots that only began flying because
they saw Top Gun :-)
Actually, Navy recruiting shot through the roof, after "Top Gun" hit
the silver screen.

Didn't believe that, but looks like you're right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun_(film)

"Unsurprisingly, it boosted Air Force recruitment and increased Navy
recruitment 500 percent. This was evident in the fact that the Navy used
its success by having recruitment booths in some theaters to lure
enthusiastic patrons."

I'm not sure what that says about young men that they think Top Gun is a
reason to join the military...

(ok, ok, I'm the only pilot to dislike that movie, sorry)

"Emily" wrote:

I'm not sure what that says about young men that they think Top Gun is a
reason to join the military...

(ok, ok, I'm the only pilot to dislike that movie, sorry)

I'm in that club: can't bear to watch it.

Maybe it's just because that twitchy little pratt Tom Cruise is in it.

--
Dan

"Almost all the matter that came out of the Big Bang was two specific sorts;
hydrogen, and stupidity."

-Robert Carnegie in talk.origins

Emily wrote:

Jim Logajan wrote:

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

We all recall the thousands of pilots that only began flying because
they saw Top Gun :-)

Actually, Navy recruiting shot through the roof, after "Top Gun" hit
the silver screen.


Didn't believe that, but looks like you're right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun_(film)

"Unsurprisingly, it boosted Air Force recruitment and increased Navy
recruitment 500 percent. This was evident in the fact that the Navy
used its success by having recruitment booths in some theaters to lure
enthusiastic patrons."


I'm not sure what that says about young men that they think Top Gun is a
reason to join the military...

(ok, ok, I'm the only pilot to dislike that movie, sorry)

Other than Tom Cruise being in it, I liked it. The sound track was
excellent as was much of the flying.

Matt